Dispatch’s Chad Stokes to Debut Songs From Impending Rock Opera at Calling All Crows Benefit Weekend

Dispatch’s Chad Stokes will debut songs from his forthcoming rock opera 1972 with the help of the Pintos on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Mass. The springtime show is a part of the annual Calling All Crows Benefit Festival Weekend, which raises funds for Stokes’ nonprofit Calling All Crows. 

During the occasion, Stokes intends to play songs from his rock opera, which “follows the story of Hannah, a young pregnant woman who hops trains on her way west to obtain an illegal abortion. Along the way, Hannah befriends an eclectic cast of strangers from the fringe of society.” Stokes has played 1972 songs occasionally, though this concert will mark the first time he has collectively performed all the rock opera’s songs for an audience.

 According to the artist, “Since I was a kid, I always knew that I’d like to attempt a concept record/rock opera. With the bands I’m in, there’s never been a good time to really get into it. We were always chasing the next record or touring. As the years went by, I still mentioned it to some folks – how it was a dream of mine.”

He continued. “The more I mentioned it, the more it would have to come to fruition… eventually. This past spring, I finally had the time and push to actually start working on it with all our three kids in school for the first time and a break in the schedule with the other bands. My subject matter also came into focus when Roe was overturned a few months before.”

Moreover, the Annual Calling All Crows Benefit Weekend includes a public service project pertaining to women’s reproductive rights. Calling All Crows is the social activist organization Stokes, and his partner Sybil Gallagher founded in 2008 to fix music fans with social movements. 

Tickets for the annual Calling All Crows Benefit Weekend concert on Friday, March 22, at the Somerville Theatre are on sale now via chadwickstokes.com.